JP6243681B2 - Ink supply device and ink cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink supply device and an ink cartridge that removably connect an ink supply port side of an ink cartridge to a cartridge mounting mechanism portion of a printer to supply ink in the ink cartridge to the printer side.

  In general, an ink jet printer to which an ink jet method is applied uses, for example, multicolor inks such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and each color ink is assigned to each color. By supplying ink to each inkjet head and ejecting each color ink from the inkjet heads toward the paper, it is possible to color print images and characters on the paper. However, it is configured so that monochrome printing can be performed with only one black (K) ink.

  In the above-described ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer), an ink cartridge is prepared for each ink color, and each color ink cartridge is detachably connected to the cartridge mounting mechanism of the printer for each ink color.

  At this time, in a general ink cartridge, an ink supply needle provided in a cartridge mounting mechanism portion of the printer is inserted into an elastic seal member provided in an ink supply port, and a hole is formed in the elastic seal member. Can be supplied to the printer.

  However, when it is desired to increase the amount of ink supplied to the printer as the speed of printing on the paper increases, it is necessary to form the ink supply needle with a large diameter. However, if the ink supply needle is formed with a large diameter, the ink cartridge is removed from the ink cartridge. It is difficult to ensure the sealing force of the elastic seal member provided at the ink supply port of the ink cartridge when it is pulled out from the supply needle.

  Therefore, the present applicant has proposed an ink cartridge in which the ink supply port of the ink cartridge is formed in a large diameter in order to increase the amount of ink supplied from the ink cartridge to the printer side as the printing speed on paper increases. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the ink cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, although not shown here, the ink cartridge is detachable in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to a holder portion which is a cartridge mounting mechanism portion provided on the upper surface of the printer body. It is connected.

  The ink cartridge described above has an ink supply port that engages with the holder portion of the printer having a large diameter, and an inner plug is provided to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the ink supply port. By interposing an O-ring between the front end-side circular convex portion of the inner plug and moving the inner plug to the front of the ink supply port, the outflow of ink to the ink cartridge when not in use is prevented. .

  On the other hand, the holder portion of the printer is provided with an insertion shaft facing the ink supply port of the ink cartridge, and an ink inflow path through which ink from the ink cartridge passes is formed around the insertion shaft.

  When the ink cartridge is connected to the printer holder, the insertion shaft provided in the holder is pushed into the ink supply port of the ink cartridge, and the inner plug is moved to the opposite side of the ink supply port by the insertion shaft. Thus, an ink outflow path for passing ink toward the ink supply port side is formed, so that a large amount of ink can be supplied to the printer side from the ink supply port formed with a large diameter.

JP 2010-82999 A

  By the way, in the ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1, as described above, the inner plug fitted with the O-ring is moved forward toward the ink supply port, so that the ink in the ink cartridge is exposed to the outside when not in use. Although it is prevented from flowing out, ink leaks from the ink supply port when the ink cartridge is transported or when the ink cartridge is stored due to a defective seal caused by a defective O-ring or a twist generated during cartridge assembly. In some cases, the outer box or the periphery of the ink cartridge may be soiled, and an improvement is desired against the outflow of ink from the ink cartridge.

  Therefore, when the ink cartridge is not in use, a double shield is provided to improve the ink outflow from the ink supply port, and when the ink cartridge is connected to the printer holder side during use, An object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply device and an ink cartridge capable of releasing a shield.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an aspect of the present invention is such that a second connection portion provided in an ink cartridge is detachably connected to a first connection portion provided in a cartridge mounting mechanism portion of a printer. An ink supply device for supplying ink from the ink cartridge from the second connection portion to the printer side via the first connection portion;
A first main body having an engaging portion provided on the leading end side facing the ink cartridge, and an ink inflow path for allowing the ink to flow into the printer;
An engagement portion provided on the distal end side facing the first main body, and an ink supply port formed on the distal end facing the first main body, provided in the second connection portion; A second main body having a hollow interior from the ink supply port side toward the rear end side and capable of receiving the ink;
An inner plug that is pivotally supported in the second main body so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and that is moved by an urging force to close the ink supply port side, and is attached to the ink supply port of the second main body to supply the ink An ink seal member that closes the mouth;
An insertion shaft provided in any one of the first and second main bodies and formed in a smaller diameter than the ink supply port and moving in a direction to break through the ink seal member,
When the engaged portion of the second main body is engaged with the engaging portion of the first main body, the insertion shaft is moved toward the ink supply port to break through the ink seal member with the insertion shaft, The inner plug is moved rearward against the biasing force, and the pierced ink seal member is held by the insertion shaft, whereby the ink in the second main body is discharged from the ink supply port. The ink supply device is supplied to the ink inflow path in the first main body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ink supply device according to the first aspect,
The insertion shaft includes a tip sharpened portion formed sharply at the tip of the shaft portion, a disc portion formed larger in diameter than the diameter of the shaft portion behind the tip sharpened portion, and a rear portion of the disc portion. An ink supply apparatus comprising: a plurality of wing portions that protrude along the shaft portion at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink supply device according to the first aspect,
The insertion shaft is formed to have a tip sharp portion with a sharp tip at the shaft portion and a diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft portion at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the shaft portion behind the tip sharp portion. And a plurality of second wings projecting out of the first wing portion in a circumferential direction while being along the shaft portion behind the first wing portion. And an ink supply device.

Another aspect of the present invention is an ink cartridge having a second connection portion detachably connected to a first connection portion provided in a cartridge mounting mechanism portion of a printer,
The second connection portion is
A main body having an ink supply port formed on a front end side facing the first connection portion and having a hollow shape from the ink supply port side toward the rear end side to receive ink;
An ink seal member attached to the ink supply port of the main body to close the ink supply port;
An inner plug that is pivotally supported in the main body so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and that is moved by an urging force to close the ink supply port side;
When the ink seal member and the inner plug are not used, the ink seal member and the inner plug provide a double shield against the outflow of the ink from the ink supply port, while the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected. Along with this, the double shield is released from the ink supply port, and the ink seal member is held when the double shield is released .

  According to the ink supply device of the first aspect, when the first connection portion provided in the cartridge mounting mechanism portion of the printer is connected to the second connection portion provided in the ink cartridge, the first main body of the first connection portion. An ink seal that is attached to the ink supply port by the insertion shaft by moving the insertion shaft provided in either the inner body or the second connection portion in the second main body to the ink supply port formed on the distal end side of the second main body The ink in the second main body is moved from the ink supply port into the first main body by breaking the member and moving the inner plug pivotally supported in the second main body so as to be movable back and forth against the urging force. In order to prevent the ink from flowing out when the ink cartridge is not used, an ink cartridge having a double shield with respect to the ink supply port side of the second main body is formed by the ink seal member and the inner plug. Applicable to printer Together, it can be reliably released double-shielded to the ink supply port side at the time of use of the ink cartridge.

  According to the ink supply device of the second aspect, since the insertion shaft has the tip sharpened portion, the disc portion, and the plurality of wing portions, for example, the insertion shaft is placed in the first main body. When provided, the ink seal member is disposed between the disk portion of the insertion shaft and the inner plug when the ink seal member attached to the ink supply port is pierced by the sharp end of the insertion shaft. The ink in the second body can be stably supplied from the ink supply port toward the first body.

  According to the ink supply device of the third aspect, the insertion shaft has the tip sharpened portion, the plurality of first wing portions, and the plurality of second wing portions. When provided in the first main body, after the ink seal member attached to the ink supply port is pierced by the tip of the insertion shaft, a cut is formed along the shape by the first wing portion of the insertion shaft. Since the ink seal member is disposed between the second wing portion of the insertion shaft and the ink supply port, the ink in the second main body can be stably supplied from the ink supply port toward the first main body.

  According to the ink cartridge of claim 4, in order to prevent the ink from flowing out when the ink cartridge is not used, the ink seal member and the inner plug are double shielded against the ink supply port side of the second main body. Since the ink does not leak from the ink supply port of the second main body when transporting the ink cartridge or storing the ink cartridge, the outer box and the surrounding area of the ink cartridge are not contaminated, and the reliability is improved. A good ink cartridge can be provided.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer to which an ink supply device and an ink cartridge according to the present invention are applied. (A), (b) is the perspective view and longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the ink supply apparatus and ink cartridge which concern on Example 1 of this invention. In the ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, (a) shows an enlarged plug, (b) shows an enlarged portion of the insertion shaft provided in the plug, and (c) FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a socket. (A)-(c) is an operation | movement diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the ink supply apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention, and an ink cartridge. In the ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, (a) shows an enlarged plug, (b) shows an enlarged portion of the insertion shaft provided in the plug, and (c) FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a socket. (A)-(c) is an operation | movement diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the ink supply apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention, and an ink cartridge.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an ink supply device and an ink cartridge according to the present invention will be described in detail in the order of Example 1 and Example 2 with reference to FIGS.

  The ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to the present invention are applied to a well-known ink jet printer, and the front end side of the ink cartridge is connected to a first connection portion supported by a holder fixedly arranged on a cartridge mounting mechanism portion of the ink jet printer. The second connecting portion provided in the ink cartridge is detachably connected so that the ink stored in the ink storage container of the ink cartridge can be supplied from the second connecting portion to the printer side via the first connecting portion. ing.

  In the following, the first connecting portion is referred to as a plug, the first main body provided in the first connecting portion is referred to as a plug main body, the second connecting portion is referred to as a socket, and the second connecting portion is referred to as the second connecting portion. The provided second main body will be described as a socket main body.

  At this time, when the ink cartridge is not used, an ink seal member formed in a circular shape using an inelastic film is attached to the ink supply port of the socket main body provided in the socket in the ink cartridge by welding or adhesion, In addition, an ink seal that prevents the ink in the ink cartridge from flowing out from the ink supply port by moving the inner plug in which the O-ring is fitted in the distal end side in the socket body toward the ink supply port by the biasing force of the spring. A double shield is achieved by the member and the inner plug.

  Then, when the plug supported by the printer holder and the socket provided at the front end side of the ink cartridge are connected, the insertion shaft provided in either the plug or the socket is moved toward the ink supply port, and this By breaking the ink seal member attached to the ink supply port with the insertion shaft and moving the inner plug pivotally supported so as to move back and forth within the socket body to the rear side against the biasing force of the compression spring, the socket body The ink inside can be supplied into the plug body from the ink supply port.

  Here, before describing the ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to the present invention, an ink jet printer to which the ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to the present invention are applied will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows an ink jet printer to which an ink supply device and an ink cartridge according to the present invention are applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an inkjet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) 1 is a first or second embodiment that constitutes a part of an ink supply apparatus 10A or 10B according to the first or second embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge mounting mechanism 20A or 20B is installed at an upper part of the printer 1.

  The ink cartridge 40 according to the present invention is detachably connected to the cartridge mounting mechanism 20A or 20B of the first or second embodiment.

  The cartridge mounting mechanism portion 20A or 20B of the first or second embodiment described above is arranged in the front-rear direction (in the direction of the arrow) on the holder 21 fixedly disposed on the cartridge mounting mechanism portion 20A or 20B and the front plate 21a of the holder 21. ) Is slidably supported by the plug (first connection portion) 30A or 30B of the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

  At this time, the difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that, as will be described later, the plug 30A of the first embodiment is supported on the front plate 21a of the holder 21, while the front plate 21a of the holder 21 is different from that of the second embodiment. The only difference is that the plug 30B is supported. As will be described later, the plug 30A and the plug 30B are partially different in structure.

  Further, a cartridge mounting table 21b is integrally formed below the front plate 21a of the holder 21, and the ink cartridge 40 is formed on the cartridge mounting table 21b with the plug 30A or 30B of the first or second embodiment. Inclined so that the ink IK flows toward the surface.

  As described later, the ink cartridge 40 is connected to the cartridge mounting mechanism 20A or 20B of the first or second embodiment and locked, and then the first or second embodiment supported by the front plate 21a of the holder 21. The plug 30A or 30B of the second embodiment is driven in the front-rear direction by the cam drive mechanism section 2.

  On the other hand, in the ink cartridge 40 according to the present invention, a socket (second connecting portion) 50 is disposed in a rectangular outer box 41 toward the front surface 41 a side of the outer box 41, and the rear of the socket 50. An ink storage container 60 for storing the ink IK is attached to the end.

  An IC tag 42 is attached to the outer box 41, and the IC tag receiver 3 is installed opposite to the IC tag 42. The ink stored in the IC tag 42 by the IC tag receiver 3 is provided. IK color information can be received wirelessly.

  In this printer 1, for example, an ink cartridge 40 that stores multicolor inks IK such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is set for each color. The case of color is illustrated and described below.

  The ink IK from the ink cartridge 40 is filled into the ink tank 6 by the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 5 through the ink supply path 4 from the socket 50 via the plug 30A or 30B of the first or second embodiment.

  Further, the ink tank 6 is provided with a liquid level sensor S for measuring the amount of the filled ink IK, and the opening / closing of the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 5 is controlled according to the detection result of the liquid level sensor S (not shown). It is controlled through the unit. The ink IK is supplied from the ink cartridge 40 to the ink tank 6 by a pressure difference between the ink cartridge 40 disposed at a high place and the ink tank 6 disposed at the low place.

  Thereafter, the ink IK filled in the ink tank 6 is sent to the ink distributor 8 through the ink supply path 7, and is distributed to the plurality of inkjet heads 9 by the ink distributor 8. And it is comprised so that an image and a character can be printed on the paper P by discharging the ink IK toward the paper P from the some inkjet head 9. FIG.

  Here, the configurations of the ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a state in which the ink cartridge is locked to the cartridge mounting mechanism. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a plug and a socket connected to the plug in the ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ink supply device 10A according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a cartridge mounting mechanism portion 20A according to the first embodiment provided in the printer 1 (FIG. 1) and the cartridge. The ink cartridge 40 according to the present invention is detachably attached to the attachment mechanism portion 20A. When the ink cartridge 40 is connected to the cartridge attachment mechanism portion 20A, the ink IK in the ink cartridge 40 is transferred to the printer. It is configured to be supplied to one side.

  First, in the cartridge mounting mechanism portion 20A of the first embodiment described above, a holder 21 serving as a base using a resin material has a substantially vertical front plate 21a and a cartridge mounted laterally connected below the front plate 21a. The mounting base 21b and a pair of left and right side plates (21c... Not shown) and 21d vertically connected to the left and right of the front plate 21a are integrally formed on a rigid frame.

  An annular portion 21e having a guide grooved through hole 21e1 is formed at the center portion of the front plate 21a of the holder 21 so as to protrude toward the rear side opposite to the ink cartridge 40 side, and First and second outer cylindrical portions 31a formed on the distal end side of the plug main body (first main body) 31A of the plug (first connecting portion) 30A of the first embodiment in the guide groove through hole 21e1 of the annular portion 21e. , 31b are slidably fitted in the front-rear direction and supported.

  At this time, a stopper 21f is integrally attached to the rear end of the annular portion 21e of the holder 21 to restrict the plug 30A from coming out of the through hole 21e1 with the guide groove of the annular portion 21e.

  The plug 30A of the first embodiment described above is a member constituting the main part of the first embodiment, and the plug 30A will be described in detail later.

  Further, the cartridge mounting table 21b of the holder 21 has a bottom surface 21b1 formed horizontally, and an inclined surface 21b2 is formed above the bottom surface 21b1 so as to incline toward the front plate 21a. ing.

  When the ink cartridge 40 is mounted on the inclined surface 21b2 of the cartridge mounting table 21b, the ink IK in the ink cartridge 40 flows toward the plug 30A.

  On the other hand, in the ink cartridge 40 according to the present invention, as described above, the socket (second connecting portion) 50 is disposed in the rectangular outer box 41 so as to face the plug 30A of the first embodiment. An ink storage container 60 is attached to the rear of the 50 socket main bodies (second main bodies) 51.

  The socket 50 described above is also a member constituting the main part of the first embodiment, and the socket 50 will be described in detail later.

  Furthermore, lock members 22 and 23 that are elastically displaced by attaching rollers 22a and 23a to one end of the leaf spring material are provided above and below the tip of the holder 21, respectively. Opposing this, locking recesses 41 b and 41 c are formed on the top and bottom of the outer side of the outer box 41 provided in the ink cartridge 40.

  When the ink cartridge 40 is pushed into the holder 21 and connected, the rollers 22a and 23a of the lock members 22 and 23 of the holder 21 are fitted into the locking recesses 41b and 41c of the outer box 41. While 40 is locked to the holder 21, the lock is released when the ink cartridge 40 is pulled out from the holder 21 side.

  Further, as will be described later in the operation, when the ink cartridge 40 is pushed in and connected to the holder 21 side and the ink cartridge 40 is locked to the holder 21 side, the plug 30A and the socket 50 are separated by a slight gap. The plug 30A is movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the socket 50 by the cam drive mechanism 2 provided in the printer 1 (FIG. 1) after being locked.

  Thereby, the plug 30 </ b> A and the socket 50 are fitted only when the ink cartridge 40 is locked to the holder 21 first.

  The reason for this is that, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, the color information of the ink IK output from the IC tag 42 attached to the outer box 41 of the ink cartridge 40 is received by the IC tag receiver 3, and the ink cartridge This is because it is necessary to fit the plug 30A into the socket 50 after confirming that the color of the 40 ink IK is correct.

  At this time, when the plug 30A is referred to as a male plug and the socket 50 is referred to as a female socket, the male plug (30A) and the female socket (50) are mated with each other. Become.

  Here, the plug 30 </ b> A and the socket 50 constituting the main part of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

  First, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3A, the plug (first connecting portion) 30 </ b> A according to the first embodiment is a first and second outer circumferential side cylinder that becomes an engaging portion on the tip side facing the ink cartridge 40. Portions 31a and 31b and a tip-side circular recess 31e are formed.

  Further, the plug 30A of the first embodiment is a plug in which an insertion shaft 31f having a diameter smaller than the hole diameter of an ink supply port 51e of the socket body 51 described later is formed at the center portion in the distal end side circular recess 31e formed on the distal end side. Covers the main body (first main body) 31A, the compression spring 32, the bearing member 33, the O-ring pressing member 34, the O-ring 35, and the front-end side circular recess 31e housed in the front-end-side circular recess 31e of the plug main body 31A. And a cap 36.

  The plug body 31A of the plug 30A of the first embodiment described above is integrally formed using a resin material.

  At this time, the outer shape of the plug main body 31A is formed to have a diameter and a length that allow the first outer cylindrical portion 31a to attach the cap 36 to the tip portion facing the socket 50 in the ink cartridge 40 (FIGS. 1 and 2). In addition, the second outer circumferential side cylindrical portion 31b is connected to the rear side of the first outer circumferential side cylindrical portion 31a and has a larger diameter and a longer length than the first outer circumferential side cylindrical portion 31a. Further, an outer peripheral convex portion 31c is formed in a short projection at an intermediate portion of the long second outer peripheral cylindrical portion 31b of the plug main body 31A, and a flange is provided at the rear end of the long second outer peripheral cylindrical portion 31b. As shown in FIG. 2A, the portion 31d is formed to protrude in a rectangular shape with respect to the top, bottom, left and right.

  Further, a tip-side circular concave portion 31e is formed in a circular concave shape in the inner peripheral portion on the tip side of the plug body 31A, and a small-diameter insertion shaft is formed at the central portion in the tip-side circular concave portion 31e. 31 f is formed to project to the vicinity of the back surface of the cap 36.

  Accordingly, an annular (ring-shaped) space is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the tip-side circular recess 31e of the plug body 31A and the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter insertion shaft 31f.

  At this time, when the first and second outer cylindrical portions 31a and 31b of the plug main body 31A move in the front-rear direction in the through hole 21e1 with the guide groove of the annular portion 21e of the holder 21 (FIG. 2), (2) The rotation is prevented by the outer peripheral convex portion 31c formed at the intermediate portion of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion 31b.

  Further, the thin insertion shaft 31f formed so as to protrude from the central portion in the plug main body 31A described above has a thin insertion shaft (shaft) as shown in FIG. Part) The tip sharp part 31f1 formed by conically sharpening the tip of the tip 31f, and the diameter of the ink supply port 51e connected to the insertion shaft 31f behind the tip sharp part 31f1 is larger than the diameter of the insertion shaft 31f. A disc portion 31f2 having a smaller diameter than the hole diameter and a small thickness, and an insertion shaft 31f at the rear of the disc portion 31f2 having a predetermined length along the insertion shaft 31f from the circumference to the circumferential direction. A plurality of blade portions 31f3 that are projected at an equal interval and whose blade diameter is formed to be substantially the same as the diameter of the disk portion 31f2 or slightly smaller than the diameter of the disk portion 31f2 are integrated.

  Further, an ink inflow passage 31g is formed from the rear lower side of the wing part 31f3 of the insertion shaft 31f to the flange part 31d.

  Further, in the circular recess 31e on the distal end side of the plug body 31A, a compression spring 32, a bearing member 33 that supports the insertion shaft 30f so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and an O-ring presser A member 34 and an O-ring 35 are accommodated through the insertion shaft 30f. Although not shown in detail, the members 32 to 35 receive ink IK supplied from the ink cartridge 40 in the ink inflow path 31g. It is formed so that it can flow in.

  And by attaching the cap 36 which formed the large diameter round hole 36a in the center part to the 1st outer peripheral side cylindrical part 31a of 31 A of plug main bodies, each member 32-35 accommodated in the front end side circular recessed part 31e is the cap 36. However, as will be described later, the ink supply port 51e side of the socket body 51 of the socket 50 can be moved back and forth in the large-diameter round hole 36a of the cap 36, as will be described later.

  Next, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3 (c), the socket (second connecting portion) 50 includes an inner peripheral side cylindrical portion 51f that becomes an engaged portion on the tip side facing the plug 30A of the first embodiment, and A tip-side annular recess 51af is formed.

  Further, the socket 50 is an ink formed with a diameter larger than the diameter of the insertion shaft 31f at the central portion on the tip side facing the insertion shaft 31f formed to protrude from the central portion in the plug body 31A of the plug 30A of the first embodiment. A socket having a supply port 51e and a plurality of recesses 51g to 51i that are formed in a stepped concave shape from the ink supply port 51e side toward the rear end side and can receive the ink IK stored in the ink storage container 60. A main body (second main body) 51, an ink seal member 52 attached to the inner surface of the ink supply port 51e to close the ink supply port 51e, and a plurality of recesses 51g to 51i formed in the socket main body 51 are accommodated. The inner plug 53, an O-ring 54, a compression spring 55, and a bearing member 56 are included.

  The socket main body 51 of the socket 50 is also integrally formed using a resin material in the same manner as the plug main body 31A.

  At this time, the outer shape of the socket main body 51 is such that the outer peripheral large-diameter cylindrical portion 51a is at the tip portion facing the plug main body 31A of the plug 30A of the first embodiment, and the first and second outer peripheral cylindrical portions 31a of the plug main body 31A. It is formed in a length larger than 31b and capable of accommodating the distal end portions of the first and second outer peripheral cylindrical portions 31a and 31b, and connected to the rear of the outer peripheral large diameter cylindrical portion 51a and connected to the outer peripheral circular convex portion. The portion 51b has a larger diameter and a shorter length than the outer peripheral side large cylindrical portion 51a, and is connected to the rear side of the outer peripheral side circular convex portion 51b so that the outer peripheral side tapered cylindrical portion 51c gradually moves toward the rear end side. A short outer diameter is formed, and an outer peripheral small-diameter cylindrical portion 51d is formed up to the front surface 60a of the ink container 60 so as to be connected to the rear side of the outer peripheral tapered cylindrical portion 51c.

  Further, the socket body 51 has an inner peripheral side cylindrical portion 51f having an ink supply port 51e opened at the distal end surface larger than the diameter of the insertion shaft 31f, in the large-diameter round hole 36a of the cap 36 and the distal end side of the plug body 31A. It is formed so as to be able to advance and retreat in the circular recess 31e, and an insertion shaft 31f formed in the plug main body 31A can advance and retreat in the ink supply port 51e, and the inner periphery of the outer peripheral side large-diameter cylindrical portion 51a. A front end side annular recess 51af having an annular (ring-shaped) space is formed on the front end side between the surface and the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 51f.

  Further, the first circular recess 51g, the tapered recess 51h, and the second circular recess 51i are stepped so that the inner diameter increases in this order from the rear of the ink supply port 51e of the socket body 51 toward the rear end of the socket body 51. Is formed.

  Then, an ink seal member 52 is inserted from the concave portions 51g to 51i opened toward the rear end side of the socket body 51, and the ink seal member 52 is adhered to the inner surface of the ink supply port 51e by welding or adhesion. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 40 is not used, the ink supply port 51e is blocked by the ink seal member 52.

  Further, the inner plug 53 accommodated in the first circular recess 51g, the tapered recess 51h, and the second circular recess 51i of the socket main body 51 includes a first cylindrical portion 53a facing the ink supply port 51e of the socket main body 51, and A second cylindrical portion 53b connected to the rear of the first cylindrical portion 53a and having a diameter larger than that of the first cylindrical portion 53a, and connected to a rear of the second cylindrical portion 53b and larger in diameter than the second cylindrical portion 53b. The circular convex portion 53c and the small-diameter and long thin shaft portion 53d connected to the rear of the circular convex portion 53c are integrally formed.

  A conical hole 53a1 is formed in the central portion of the distal end surface of the first cylindrical portion 53a of the inner plug 53, and the sharp end portion 31f1 of the insertion shaft 31f formed in the plug body 31A contacts the conical hole 53a1. It is possible.

  Further, an O-ring 54 is fitted from the first and second cylindrical portions 53a, 53b side of the inner plug 53, and this O-ring 54 is brought into contact with the circular convex portion 53c.

  Further, after the compression spring 55 is inserted into the small-diameter shaft portion 53 d of the inner plug 53, the small-diameter shaft portion 53 d is fitted into the shaft hole 56 a of the bearing member 56, and the bearing member 56 is inserted into the socket body 51. The two circular recesses 51i are fixedly supported between the front surface 60a of the ink storage container 60. At this time, the flange portion 56b of the bearing member 56 is formed with a hole (not shown) through which the ink IK in the ink storage container 60 passes through the second circular recess 51i.

  When the ink cartridge 40 is not used, the inner plug 53 is moved to the ink supply port 51e side of the socket body 51 by the urging force of the compression spring 55 interposed between the circular convex portion 53c and the bearing member 56. When the O-ring 54 fitted into the second cylindrical portion 53b of the inner plug 53 comes into contact with the circular convex portion 53c of the inner plug 53 and the tapered concave portion 51h of the socket body 51, the O-ring 54 is inserted into the second circular concave portion 51i. Since the formed ink outflow path 51j is closed, the ink IK in the ink storage container 60 is prevented from flowing out to the ink supply port 51e.

  Accordingly, when the ink cartridge 40 is not used, the socket 50 is supplied with ink by the ink seal member 52 attached to the inner surface of the ink supply port 51e of the socket body 51 and the inner plug 53 accommodated in the socket body 51. The shield is doubly shielded against the outflow of the ink IK from the port 51e.

  Accordingly, since the ink IK does not leak from the ink supply port 51 of the socket body 51 when the ink cartridge 40 is transported or stored, the outer case and the periphery of the ink cartridge 40 are not contaminated. Ink cartridge 40 with good quality can be provided.

  In addition, since the container support cylinder 61 attached to the front surface 60 a of the ink storage container 60 is fitted through the O-ring 62 at the outer peripheral portion of the rear end of the socket main body 51, the socket main body 51 and the ink storage container 60 are connected to each other. Ink leakage is prevented even between the two.

  Here, the operations of the ink supply device 10A and the ink cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in the order of operations with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIG. 4A shows that the outer box 41 of the ink cartridge 40 is supported by the holder 21 so as to be movable back and forth immediately after being locked to the holder 21 fixedly disposed on the cartridge mounting mechanism portion 20A of the first embodiment. The initial state of the plug 30A of the first embodiment is shown.

  At this initial time, when the outer box 41 of the ink cartridge 40 is locked to the holder 21, the ink from the IC tag 42 attached to the outer box 41 of the ink cartridge 40 by the IC tag receiver 3 provided in the printer 1. IK color information is received, and a control unit (not shown) determines whether the color information of the ink IK matches the corresponding color holder 21. Therefore, the ink color difference is detected first. it can.

  Further, when the plug 30A supported by the holder 21 so as to be movable back and forth has reached the initial state, as described above, the plug 30A and the socket 50 of the ink cartridge 40 are opposed to each other with a slight gap therebetween. In addition, the cam drive mechanism 2 provided in the printer 1 for moving the plug 30A toward the socket 50 is stopped and is in a standby state.

  That is, on the plug 30A side of the first embodiment, the insertion shaft 31f of the first embodiment, which is formed to protrude at the center portion in the distal-end-side circular recess 31e located on the distal end side of the plug body 31A, is the tip of the socket body 51 of the socket 50. It faces away from the ink supply port 51e located on the side. At this time, the diameter of the insertion shaft 31f is formed smaller than the hole diameter of the ink supply port 51e. In other words, the hole diameter of the ink supply port 51e is formed larger than the diameter of the insertion shaft 31f.

  On the other hand, on the socket 50 side, the ink seal member 52 is attached to the inner surface of the ink supply port 51e of the socket main body 51, and the first circular concave portion 51g, the tapered portion 51h, and the second circular concave portion 51i of the socket main body 51 are attached. The inner plug 53 in which the O-ring 54 is fitted is moved to the front ink supply port 51e side by the urging force of the compression spring 55 to block the ink supply port 51e.

  Thereby, the ink IK in the ink cartridge 40 is double-shielded against the ink supply port 51 e by the ink seal member 52 and the inner plug 53.

  Next, FIG. 4B shows a time when the insertion of the plug 30A into the socket 50 is started.

  At the start of this insertion, the cam drive mechanism 2 is started to start moving the plug 30A forward toward the socket 50. Then, the side of the cap 36 attached to the first outer peripheral cylindrical portion 31 a of the plug main body 31 </ b> A enters the front end side annular recess 51 af formed on the front end side of the socket main body 51.

  Accordingly, the ink supply port 51e side of the socket main body 51 sequentially enters the large-diameter round hole 36a, the O-ring 35, and the O-ring pressing member 34 of the cap 36, so that the insertion shaft 31f formed in the plug main body 31A is connected to the socket. Inserted into the ink insertion port 51e of the main body 51, a hole is made by piercing the central portion of the ink seal member 52 attached to the inner surface of the ink insertion port 51e by the tip sharp portion 31f1 formed at the tip of the insertion shaft 31f. .

  The sharp tip 31f1 of the insertion shaft 31f abuts on a conical hole 53a1 formed at the center of the tip surface of the first cylindrical portion 53a of the inner plug 53 housed in the socket body 51. Since it has not moved, the ink IK in the ink cartridge 40 is shielded by the inner plug 53.

  At this time, the chips 52 a of the ink seal member 52 pierced by the tip sharp part 31 f 1 of the insertion shaft 31 f fall into the first circular recess 51 g of the socket body 51.

  Next, FIG. 4C shows the end of insertion of the plug 30A into the socket 50.

  Here, when the cam drive mechanism portion 2 is continuously operated from the state of FIG. 4B and the plug 30A is further moved toward the socket 50 side, the first outer peripheral side cylindrical portion 31a of the plug main body 31A is moved. The attached cap 36 side enters to the back in the front end side annular recess 51af formed on the front end side of the socket body 51.

  Along with this, the bearing member 33 in the plug main body 31A is pushed rearward by the surface of the ink supply port 51e of the socket main body 51, so that the compression spring 32 is contracted and the insertion shaft is formed to protrude from the central portion in the plug main body 31A. The inner plug 53 housed in the socket body 51 is opposed to the compression spring 55 by the tip sharp portion 31f1 of 31f and the disc portion 31f2 formed behind the tip sharp portion 31f1 on the side opposite to the ink supply port 51e. Since the push-in is performed, an ink outflow path 51j is formed in the first circular recess 51g, the tapered portion 51h, and the second circular recess 51i of the socket body 51.

  Further, since the ink seal member 52 with a hole is fixedly disposed between the disc portion 31f2 of the insertion shaft 31f and the distal end surface of the first cylindrical portion 53a of the inner plug 53, the ink in the socket main body 51 is disposed. IK can be stably supplied from the ink supply port 51e toward the plug body 31A.

  Furthermore, since the inner peripheral side cylindrical portion 51f of the socket main body 51 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 housed in the plug main body 31A, ink leakage in the plug main body 31A can be prevented.

  As a result, the ink IK in the ink cartridge 40 enters the plug body 31A from the ink supply port 51e through the ink outflow path 51j formed in the socket body 51, and the ink inflow path formed in the plug body 31A. 31g is supplied to the printer 1 side.

  After that, when the ink cartridge 40 is removed from the holder 21, the inner plug 53 accommodated in the socket body 51 is returned to the ink supply port 51 e side by the urging force of the compression spring 55. Although the ink IK can be sealed by the inner plug 53, the ink seal member 52 attached to the inner surface of the ink supply port 51e is perforated, so that only the shield by the inner plug 53 is provided, but the inside of the ink cartridge 40 Ink IK is almost consumed, so there is no problem.

  The ink supply device 10B and the ink cartridge 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention are supported by the holder 21 fixedly disposed on the cartridge mounting mechanism portion 20B of the second embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. Since only the structure of the plug 30B of Example 2 is only partially different from that of Example 1, here, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent members as those of Example 1 using FIG. Explanation will be made as appropriate, and components different from those in the first embodiment will be given new reference numerals, and different points from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a plug and a socket connected to the plug in the ink supply device and the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 5A, the plug (first connecting portion) 30B of the second embodiment has a small-diameter insertion shaft 31h at the central portion in the distal-end-side circular recess 31e formed on the distal-end side. A projecting plug body (first body) 31B, a compression spring 32, a bearing member 33, an O-ring pressing member 34, an O-ring 35, and a tip-side circular shape housed in a tip-side circular recess 31e of the plug body 31B. The cap 36 covers the recess 31e.

  The plug main body 31B of the plug 30B of the second embodiment described above is also integrally formed using a resin material as in the first embodiment.

  At this time, the plug main body 31B is different from the first embodiment only in the shape of the small-diameter insertion shaft 31h formed to project at the central portion in the distal-end-side circular recess 31e.

  That is, the small-diameter insertion shaft 31h formed so as to protrude from the central portion in the plug main body 31B has a small-diameter insertion shaft (shaft) as shown in FIG. Part) The tip of the insertion shaft 31h has a first predetermined length along the insertion point 31h1 formed at the tip of the tip 31h and the insertion point 31h1 behind the tip sharpening part 31h1. A plurality of first wing portions 31h2 projecting at a substantially equal interval in the circumferential direction from the circumference and having a blade diameter larger than the diameter of the insertion shaft 31h and smaller than the hole diameter of the ink supply port 51e; The plurality of first wing portions are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction from the circumference of the insertion shaft 31h while having a second predetermined length along the insertion shaft 31h behind the plurality of first wing portions 31h2. A plurality of second wings having different phases in the circumferential direction and projecting to substantially the same diameter with respect to 31h2 And 31h3 are integrated.

  Further, an ink inflow path 31g is formed from the rear lower side of the second wing part 31h3 of the insertion shaft 31h to the flange part 31d.

  On the other hand, the ink cartridge 40 has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and the socket (second connection portion) 50 is opposed to the insertion shaft 31h formed to protrude from the central portion of the plug body 31B of the plug 30B of the second embodiment. A socket main body (second main body) 51 having an ink supply port 51e formed on the leading end side, an ink seal member 52 attached to the inner surface of the ink supply port 51e to close the ink supply port 51e, and the socket main body 51 It is composed of an inner plug 53, an O-ring 54, a compression spring 55, and a bearing member 56 that are accommodated in the plurality of formed recesses 51 g to 51 i.

  Here, the operations of the ink supply device 10B and the ink cartridge 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in the order of operation with reference to FIGS.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, only the shape of the small-diameter insertion shaft 31h formed in the plug main body 31B of the plug 30B is different from the first embodiment. In (a) to (c), the operation according to the difference in the shape of the thin insertion shaft 31h will be described in detail.

  First, FIG. 6A shows that the outer box 41 of the ink cartridge 40 is supported by the holder 21 so as to be movable back and forth immediately after being locked to the holder 21 fixedly disposed on the cartridge mounting mechanism portion 20B of the second embodiment. The initial state of the plug 30B of the second embodiment is shown.

  Further, when the plug 30B supported by the holder 21 has reached the initial state, as described above, the plug 30B and the socket 50 of the ink cartridge 40 face each other with a slight gap therebetween, and the plug 30B. Is moved to the socket 50 side, the cam drive mechanism 2 provided in the printer 1 is stopped and is in a standby state.

  That is, on the plug 30B side of the second embodiment, the insertion shaft 31h of the second embodiment formed to protrude at the central portion in the distal-end-side circular recess 31e located on the distal end side of the plug body 31B is the tip of the socket body 51 of the socket 50. It faces away from the ink supply port 51e located on the side.

  On the other hand, on the socket 50 side, an ink seal member 52 is attached to the inner surface of the ink supply port 51e of the socket main body 51, and the inner plug is housed in the socket main body 51 and the O-ring 54 is fitted on the front end side. 53 is moved to the front ink supply port 51e side by the urging force of the compression spring 55 to block the ink supply port 51e.

  Thereby, the ink IK in the ink cartridge 40 is double-shielded by the ink seal member 52 and the inner plug 53.

  Next, FIG. 6B shows the start of insertion of the plug 30B into the socket 50.

  At the start of this insertion, the cam drive mechanism 2 is started to start moving the plug 30B forward toward the socket 50. Then, the side of the cap 36 attached to the first outer peripheral side cylindrical portion 31 a of the plug main body 31 </ b> B enters a front end side annular recess 51 af formed on the front end side of the socket main body 51.

  Along with this, the ink supply port 51e side of the socket body 51 enters the large-diameter round hole 36a of the cap 36. Therefore, the small-diameter insertion shaft 31h formed in the plug body 31B enters the ink insertion port 51e of the socket body 51. A hole is made by penetrating the central portion of the ink seal member 52 that is inserted and attached to the inner surface of the ink insertion port 51e by the tip sharp portion 31h1 formed at the tip of the insertion shaft 31h.

  Further, the perforated ink seal member 52 extends along the plurality of first wing portions 31h2 formed behind the tip sharp portion 31h1, but the inner plug 53 has not yet moved. The ink IK inside is shielded.

  At this time, the cut ink seal member 52 is cut along the shape thereof by the first wing portion 31h2.

  Next, FIG. 6C shows the end of insertion of the plug 30B into the socket 50. FIG.

  Here, when the cam drive mechanism portion 2 is continuously operated from the state of FIG. 6B and the plug 30B is further moved toward the socket 50 side, the first outer peripheral side cylindrical portion 31a of the plug main body 31B is moved. The attached cap 36 side enters to the back in the front end side annular recess 51af formed on the front end side of the socket body 51.

  Along with this, the bearing member 33 in the plug body 31B is pushed rearward by the surface of the ink supply port 51e of the socket body 51 of the socket body 51, so that the compression spring 32 contracts and the insertion shaft formed in the plug body 31B. Since the inner plug 53 accommodated in the socket main body 51 is pushed against the compression spring 55 by the tip sharp part 31h1 of 31h against the ink supply port 51e, the first circular recess 51g of the socket main body 51 is tapered. An ink outflow path 51j is formed in the portion 51h and the second circular recess 51i.

  The ink seal member 52 along the plurality of first wing portions 31h2 formed on the insertion shaft 31h is disposed behind the plurality of first wing portions 31h2 along with the end of the insertion of the insertion shaft 31h. Move to a plurality of second wing portions 31h3 formed with different phases.

  Since the ink seal member 52 is fixedly disposed between the plurality of second wing portions 31h3 and the ink supply port 51e, the ink IK in the socket body 51 is stabilized from the ink supply port 51e toward the plug body 31B. Can supply.

  Furthermore, since the inner peripheral side cylindrical portion 51f of the socket main body 51 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 35 housed in the plug main body 31B, ink leakage in the plug main body 31B can be prevented.

  As a result, the ink IK in the ink cartridge 40 enters the plug body 31B from the ink supply port 51e through the ink outflow path 51j formed in the socket body 51, and the ink inflow path formed in the plug body 31B. 31g is supplied to the printer 1 side.

  After that, when the ink cartridge 40 is removed from the holder 21, the inner plug 53 accommodated in the socket body 51 is returned to the ink supply port 51 e side by the urging force of the compression spring 55. Although the ink IK can be sealed by the inner plug 53, the ink seal member 52 attached to the inner surface of the ink supply port 51e is perforated, so that only the shield by the inner plug 53 is provided, but the inside of the ink cartridge 40 Ink IK is almost consumed, so there is no problem.

  In the ink supply devices 10A and 10B of the embodiments 1 and 2 described in detail above, when the socket 50 is connected to the plugs 30A and 30B, the insertion shafts 31f and 31h formed in the plug bodies 31A and 31B Although the ink seal member that blocks the ink supply port 51e is configured to break through, the present invention is not limited to this, and illustration thereof is omitted. However, the ink seal member is not provided in the plug body, but is provided in the socket body. It is also possible to provide an insertion shaft that breaks through.

  In this case, an engagement portion for engaging the engaged portion of the socket main body is provided in the plug main body, and the insertion shaft and the inner plug are provided behind the ink supply port to which the ink seal member is adhered in the socket main body. May be provided.

  When the ink cartridge is not in use, the ink seal member and the inner plug provide a double shield against the outflow of the ink IK from the ink insertion port. On the other hand, the socket body engages with the engagement portion of the plug body. When the mating part is engaged, the insertion shaft in the socket body is moved toward the ink insertion port, the ink seal member is pierced by this insertion shaft, and the inner plug is placed on the side opposite to the ink insertion port side. It is only necessary to move the ink and supply the ink into the plug body via the ink insertion opening side.

  From the above, when the engaged portion of the socket main body is engaged with the engaging portion of the plug main body, the insertion shaft that breaks through the ink seal member attached to the ink supply port of the socket main body is inside the plug main body and the socket main body. Any one of these may be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer, 2 ... Cam drive mechanism part, 3 ... IC tag receiver,
6 ... Ink tank, 9 ... Inkjet head,
10A ... Ink supply device of Example 1 10B ... Ink supply device of Example 2
20A: Cartridge mounting mechanism part of Example 1,
20B: Cartridge mounting mechanism of Example 2,
21 ... Holder, 21a ... Front plate, 21b ... Cartridge mounting table,
(21c), 21d ... side plate, 21e ... annular portion, 21e1 ... through hole with guide groove,
21f ... stopper, 22, 23 ... lock member,
30A, 30B ... the first connection part (plug) of Examples 1 and 2,
31A, 31B: first body (plug body) of Examples 1 and 2,
31a ... 1st outer peripheral side cylindrical part, 31b ... 2nd outer peripheral side cylindrical part, 31c ... Outer peripheral side convex part,
31d: flange portion, 31e: tip side circular concave portion,
31f ... insertion shaft of Example 1, 31f1 ... sharp tip, 31f2 ... disc part,
31f3 ... wing part, 31g ... ink inflow path,
31h ... Insertion shaft of Example 2, 31h1 ... Sharp tip, 31h2 ... First wing,
31h3 ... second wing,
32 ... Compression spring, 33 ... Bearing member, 34 ... O-ring pressing member, 35 ... O-ring,
36 ... Cap, 36a ... Large diameter round hole,
40. Ink cartridge,
41 ... Outer box, 41a ... Front, 41b, 41c ... Locking recess, 42 ... IC tag,
50 ... 2nd connection part (socket),
51 ... 2nd main body (socket main body), 51a ... Outer peripheral side large diameter cylindrical part,
51b ... circular convex portion on the outer peripheral side, 51c ... tapered cylindrical portion on the outer peripheral side,
51d: outer peripheral side small diameter cylindrical part, 51e: ink supply port, 51f: inner peripheral side cylindrical part,
51af ... tip side annular recess, 51g ... first circular recess, 51h ... tapered recess,
51i ... second circular recess, 51j ... ink outflow path 52 ... ink seal member, 52a ... chips,
53 ... Inner plug, 53a ... 1st cylindrical part, 53a1 ... Conical hole, 53b ... 2nd cylindrical part,
53c ... circular convex part, 53d ... small diameter shaft part,
54 ... O-ring, 55 ... compression spring,
56 ... Bearing member, 56a ... Shaft hole, 56b ... Flange part,
60: Ink storage container, 60a: Front surface, 61: Container support cylinder, 62: O-ring.

Claims (4)

A second connection portion provided in the ink cartridge is detachably connected to a first connection portion provided in the cartridge mounting mechanism portion of the printer, and ink from the second connection portion is connected to the first connection portion. In an ink supply device for supplying to the printer side via
A first main body having an engaging portion provided on the leading end side facing the ink cartridge, and an ink inflow path for allowing the ink to flow into the printer;
An engagement portion provided on the distal end side facing the first main body, and an ink supply port formed on the distal end facing the first main body, provided in the second connection portion; A second main body having a hollow interior from the ink supply port side toward the rear end side and capable of receiving the ink;
An inner plug that is pivotally supported in the second main body so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and that is moved by an urging force to close the ink supply port side, and is attached to the ink supply port of the second main body to supply the ink An ink seal member that closes the mouth;
An insertion shaft provided in any one of the first and second main bodies and formed in a smaller diameter than the ink supply port and moving in a direction to break through the ink seal member,
When the engaged portion of the second main body is engaged with the engaging portion of the first main body, the insertion shaft is moved toward the ink supply port to break through the ink seal member with the insertion shaft, The inner plug is moved rearward against the biasing force, and the pierced ink seal member is held by the insertion shaft, whereby the ink in the second main body is discharged from the ink supply port. An ink supply device, wherein the ink supply device is supplied to the ink inflow path in the first main body.   The insertion shaft includes a tip sharpened portion formed sharply at the tip of the shaft portion, a disc portion formed larger in diameter than the diameter of the shaft portion behind the tip sharpened portion, and a rear portion of the disc portion. The ink supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of wing portions that protrude along the shaft portion at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.   The insertion shaft is formed to have a tip sharp portion with a sharp tip at the shaft portion and a diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft portion at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the shaft portion behind the tip sharp portion. And a plurality of second wings projecting out of the first wing portion in a circumferential direction while being along the shaft portion behind the first wing portion. The ink supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: an ink supply unit. An ink cartridge having a second connection portion detachably connected to a first connection portion provided in a cartridge mounting mechanism portion of a printer,
The second connection portion is
A main body having an ink supply port formed on a front end side facing the first connection portion and having a hollow shape from the ink supply port side toward the rear end side to receive ink;
An ink seal member attached to the ink supply port of the main body to close the ink supply port;
An inner plug that is pivotally supported in the main body so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and that is moved by an urging force to close the ink supply port side;
When the ink seal member and the inner plug are not used, the ink seal member and the inner plug provide a double shield against the outflow of the ink from the ink supply port, while the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected. Accordingly, the double shield is released from the ink supply port, and the ink seal member is held when the double shield is released .

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